NBA Draft 2012: Assessing the One Glaring Weakness for Every 1st-Round Team

The 2012 NBA draft is just around the corner and will present every team with an opportunity to upgrade their roster, especially the first-round participants.

Though franchises are able to take to free agency to improve their player dockets, the draft allows them to plug holes and address deficiencies before tendering expensive offer sheets.

And while some organizations will be motivated to select the best player available, they must also ensure their most prevalent weaknesses do not go unattended.

Atlanta Hawks

Most Glaring Weakness: Small forward

Marvin Williams isn't happy with his role in Atlanta and the Hawks would be wise to plug a position that presented problems all season.

Though the Hawks will find themselves in a prime "best player available" slot, they would do well to take a chance on a small forward, even if he isn't the absolute "best player available."

Potential Solutions: Jeffery Taylor, Moe Harkless, Royce White

Boston Celtics

Most Glaring Weakness: Center

Kevin Garnett has turned back the clock, but it's unclear whether he'll be back in Boston next season.

The emergence of Avery Bradley has eased the issue of potentially replacing Ray Allen, leaving the Celtics to explore any low-post options they can.

A late first-round pick is far from an ideal spot to be in when patrolling for a big man, but Boston would be wise to at least consider taking the plunge.

Potential Solutions: Arnett Moultrie, Fab Melo

 

Charlotte Bobcats

Most Glaring Weakness: A face for the future

It's an unorthodox weakness, but a weakness nonetheless.

The Bobcats possess two young gems in Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, but neither instills the sense of excitement an Anthony Davis would.

Charlotte needs that one player who gives them unrelenting hope for the future.

Potential Solutions: Anthony Davis or bust

Chicago Bulls

Most Glaring Weakness: Combo guard

As the Bulls prepare for life without Derrick Rose next season, they are in need of a combo guard who can shore up the 2 and handle facilitating duties.

While it's unlikely Chicago finds a prolific solution toward the end of the first round, they must at least attempt to preserve their depth in the backcourt.

Potential Solutions: Dion Waiters, Tyshawn Taylor

Cleveland Cavaliers

Most Glaring Weakness: Shooting guard

With Antawn Jamison seemingly on his way out, one could make the case for the Cavaliers needing a volume-scoring big man to replace him.

However, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao should be able to handle the majority of the burden down low.

Cleveland's real need stems on the perimeter, where it needs a bona fide shooting guard to pair with Kyrie Irving who can also replace some of Jamison's outside scoring.

Potential Solutions: Bradley Beal and Jeremy Lamb 

Dallas Mavericks

Most Glaring Weakness: Combo guard

Jason Kidd and Jason Terry are set to hit the open market this summer, leaving the Mavericks with plenty of room to improve in the backcourt.

While bringing back either is still a possibility, Dallas could also benefit from some added youth to counteract the myriad of age its roster boasts.

Both scoring and playmaking abilities are also a must, though.

Potential Solutions: Austin Rivers, Tony Wroten, Marquis Teague

Denver Nuggets

Most Glaring Weakness: Backup point guard

Andre Miller is far from a lock to re-sign with the Nuggets, making depth at the point guard position an issue they must address.

Ty Lawson is a stud and Denver may even take to free agency to bring in a proven veteran, but the draft will present an opportunity to, at the very least, groom a backup for the future.

And luckily for the Nuggets, their weakness is one that can be solved from where they'll stand in the first round.

Potential Solutions: Tony Wroten, Marquis Teague, Dion Waiters, Austin Rivers

Detroit Pistons

Most Glaring Weakness: Power forward

Greg Monroe has provided the Pistons with a center to be feared, but they lack that same luxury at the power forward spot.

Both Jonas Jerebko and Jason Maxiell have had their moments, but neither seems to be a permanent solution.

Detroit needs a forward with a higher ceiling than any of its in-house candidates.

Potential Solutions: Perry Jones III, John Henson, Tyler Zeller

Golden State Warriors

Most Glaring Weakness: Small Forward

The Warriors roster is laden with uncertainty and potential at the same time.

That said, the small forward slot is lined with more uncertainty than potential. Richard Jefferson's best days are behind him and Dorell Wright has been a tease.

Optimally, the Warriors will be able to use their high pick on a small forward with plenty of potential and the ability to provide an immediate spark off the bench.

Potential Solutions: Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Jones 

Houston Rockets

Most Glaring Weakness: Center

While Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby remain legitimate options for the Rockets, both are past the prime, and in the case of Dalembert, hardly fit for duty. 

Houston doesn't necessarily need a polished athlete, but a sizable body to intimidate down low.

And luckily for the Rockets, there is no shortage of size in this year's draft.

Potential Solutions: Meyers Leonard, Tyler Zeller, Arnett Moultrie

Indiana Pacers

Most Glaring Weakness: An X-factor on the perimeter

The Pacers are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, yet on a team nearly void of superstars, simplistic depth is not nearly enough.

Indiana needs that other X-factor, a contributor off the bench who can log minutes at more than one position.

Larry Bird has a history of drafting well, so the Pacers should have no trouble nabbing a prospect that can fill this need.

Potential Solutions: Evan Fournier, Doron Lamb and John Jenkins

Memphis Grizzlies

Most Glaring Weakness: Combo guard

Aside from Mike Conley, the Grizzlies will boast a fair amount of uncertainty in their backcourt heading into next season.

Tony Allen is a defensive connoisseur, but wildly inconsistent, and O.J. Mayo may have already played his last game in Memphis. Meanwhile, Gilbert Arenas' return and potential contribution are far from written in stone.

The Grizzlies are in desperate need of someone who can not only score, but also run the offense when called upon.

Potential Solutions: Doron Lamb, Dion Waiters, Qalat Cajasol 

Miami Heat

Most Glaring Weakness: Center

The Heat need a big man and would welcome one with uncertain potential.

Miami already knows what it has in Eddy Curry, Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony, rendering the exploration of the unknown beneficial to their title hopes.

It's unlikely the Heat find an instant game-changer late in the first-round, but almost anyone available is worth taking a chance on.

Potential Solutions: Fab Melo, Festus Ezeli, Andrew Nicholson 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Most Glaring Weakness: Shooting guard

The Timberwolves are in need of a strong, athletic presence on the perimeter if they wish to reach the next level.

Wesley Johnson and Martell Webster lack discipline and are hardly adequate stop-gaps. While Minnesota will have some money to spend this offseason, taking to the draft for a potential solution is a necessary course of action.

Ricky Rubio needs a backcourt mate and the team as a whole needs to capitalize off Kevin Love's ability to spread the floor. And that begins, and ends, with a shooting guard.

Potential Solutions: Terrence Ross, Austin Rivers, Moe Harkless

Milwaukee Bucks

Most Glaring Weakness: Center

The Bucks need an upgrade in size that neither Ersan Ilyasova or Drew Gooden can provide.

Though Milwaukee spent a majority of the season without Andrew Bogut, his permanent departure creates a center-sized hole that must be addressed before next season.

Given the shallow pool of big men available this summer, the Bucks' best bet is to take a stab at one snagging before the lottery is out.

Potential Solutions: Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Meyers Leonard

New Orleans Hornets

Most Glaring Weakness: A big man

It's unlikely we see Chris Kaman or Carl Landry return to New Orleans, leaving a gaping hole to fill alongside the underwhelming Emeka Okafor.

The Hornets are also in need of a cornerstone for the future and would do well to draft themselves an athletic power forward who can do a dash of everything.

Potential Solutions: Thomas Robinson, Jared Sullinger, Andre Drummond

Oklahoma City Thunder

Most Glaring Weakness: Combo guard off the bench

Oklahoma City doesn't have many imperfections, but some further insurance behind Russell Westbrook is one.

The Thunder could use a true point guard to come off the bench, but would benefit most from another James Harden-like product who could spend time at the 1 or 2.

Simply put, the more shooters Oklahoma City has that excel off screens and outside shooting, the better.

Potential Solutions: John Jenkins, Dion Waiters, Scott Machado

Orlando Magic

Most Glaring Weakness: Point guard

While the Magic may be tempted to latch on to a big man in the first round, it won't make sense to do so as long as Dwight Howard is in the fold. It would make even less sense given Jameer Nelson is prepared to explore free agency.

Orlando is unlikely to find the premier point guard that Howard aches to play alongside in this draft, yet a promising project is not out of the question.

Howard or no Howard, though, the Magic must select a body to help handle point guard duties.

Potential Solutions: Marquis Teague, Tony Wroten, Austin Rivers

Philadelphia 76ers

Most Glaring Weakness: Versatility in the paint

Even at the height of his career, Elton Brand was far from versatile. Now that he's making as underwhelming an impact as ever, though, it's time for Philadelphia to add some innovative size.

The Sixers would benefit most from a combo forward who could can produce from all areas of the floor on offense and isn't afraid to hit the boards.

Case and point, they need someone to go beyond picking up the slack left by Brand.

Potential Solutions: Terrence Jones, Quincy Miller, Royce White

Phoenix Suns

Most Glaring Weakness: Point guard

Steve Nash has not ruled out a return to Phoenix, yet even if he opts to remain, it's time the Suns look ahead.

Phoenix has absolutely no adequate replacement for Nash.

Aaron Brooks is unproven and, quite frankly, overrated. The Suns need to invest in someone who will either excel under Nash's tutelage or possesses enough upside to be inserted into the lineup right away.

Potential Solutions: Kendall Marshall, Damian Lillard, Austin Rivers

Portland Trail Blazers

Most Glaring Weakness: Point guard

The Raymond Felton experiment backfired and Nolan Smith looks more like a perennial backup.

With so many offensive weapons still in their possession, the Blazers bring in someone to tie it all together.

And while free agency presents some intriguing possibilities, Portland must use its first-rounder to secure some additional talent at the point as well.

Potential Solutions: Damian Lillard, Kendall Marshall, Marquis Teague

Sacramento Kings

Most Glaring Weakness: Absence of a low-post sidekick for DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins can give the Kings minutes at the 4 or the 5, but he needs a complementary big man to wage war in the paint with him.

Chuck Hayes is scrappy, but he's not as powerful as your typical inside savant, and after him, there's little to nothing to acknowledge.

Sacramento has a long way to go before it can piece together the mess it has become, and the road to restoration must begin here.

Potential Solutions: Jared Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Andre Drummond, John Henson 

Toronto Raptors

Most Glaring Weakness: Small forward

The Raptors will find themselves in position to draft one of the many big men available, yet their most obvious weakness is at small forward.

Linas Kleiza showed some potential, but not enough, and James Johnson leaves much to be desired on either end of the floor.

Since there is no pressing need for a big man, Toronto may attempt to trade down—a respectable tactic, as it would ensure the team doesn't use a first-round pick for namesake.

Potential Solutions: Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Jones, Quincy Miller 

Washington Wizards

Most Glaring Weakness: Shooting guard/Small forward

The Wizards are laden with options on the front line, but sorely need a wingman—literally—for John Wall.

Aside from Wall, Washington lacks the necessary athleticism and killer extinct to thrive in transition, a deficiency they would do well to resolve come draft day.

Potential Solutions: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal, Harrison Barnes

Follow @danfavale